Have you ever ridden a mountain pass the same day of the Giro racers? Its pure adrenaline. A unique experience not to be missed!!! The warmth and cheering of Italian cycling fans will let you feel like a hero and provides the excitement and the energy to climb through the steepest switchbacks and 
the most challenging gradient that you ever experienced before. In this tour, from the heart of the most beautiful mountains in the world, we watch and ride 3 of the most difficult stages of the 2008 Giro dItalia: Stage 14 with the arrival at the top of Alpe di Pampeago, Stage 15 with the arrival at the top of the Marmolada and Stage 16 with the uphill TT through the Passo Furcia all the way up to Plan de Corones. Each time you reach the top of these passes, you feel a great sense of achievement mixed with the joy of being surrounded by such breathtaking beauty.
Astonishing mountains, challenging cycling, immersion in the world-famous Italian cycling culture and a caring native Italian guide combine to provide an exhilarating cycling vacation. Before getting immersed in the excitement of the Giro, you will ride and train on hilly terrain already in the Lake Garda area; we roll through the mountains overlooking the lake and pedal through the valleys of the world famous Valpolicella and Bardolino vineyards. Then onto the jagged and dramatic Dolomites, the dream of any serious cyclist.
Cost: U.S. $3,800/Euro 2,700,
includes:
Single Room Supplement for all tours: U.S. $500 (subject to availability)
Prices are based on exchange rates in effect at time of publication. We reserve the right to add a surcharge should the U.S. dollar lose substantial value against the Euro. Please contact us for details.
Day 1: Saturday May 17
Leave USA overnight flight (we provide assistance for flight reservation)
Day 2 : Sunday May 18
Arrive in Italy Verona Airport Pick up and drive to our base hotel near to the beautiful Lake Garda where we will be spending 4 nights.
After settling into our base hotel we will go for a warm-up ride in the Verona valley. 40 km
Dinner and overnight at our base Hotel
Day 3: Monday May 19
Ride through the Bardolino & Valpolicella wineries 80 km Loop
Optional: Visit Fisio-Lab and get an Italian style bike fit and/or get a Conconi test to know your Threshold and Peak power output
Dinner and overnight at our base Hotel.
Day 4: Tuesday May 20
Beautiful 160 km loop of the 3 Lakes: Garda, Idro and Ledra Spectacular views of the Garda Lake while you climb up to Lake Idro. You will be riding through 3 different regions today: Lombardia, Trento and Veneto.
You will be riding through 3 different regions today: Lombardia, Trento and Veneto.
Dinner and overnight at our base Hotel.
Day 5: Wednesday May 21
Ride to Borghetto along the Mincio river or climb up to Prada still enjoying astonishing views of the lake 70/80 km Loop
Visit Verona and dinner in downtown
Overnight at our base Hotel
Day 6: Thursday May 22
Today we leave our base hotel you will ride along the Lake Garda to Riva del Garda climb up to the Passo Ballino descend to Ponte delle Arche through a beautiful valley and climb up to the picturesque village of Molveno by the lake 100 km
Dinner and overnight in Molveno
Day 7: Friday May 23
From Molveno, you will descend towards Trento and ride through the beautiful Cembre valley to Cavalese cross the Fiemme valley and arrive in Moena. 90 km - This will be a less hilly day
Recover and get ready for the next 3 days: you will watch the Giro racers coming by and ride on the same route of the Giro.
Dinner & Overnight in Moena
Day 8: Saturday May 24, Stage 14 of the Giro Watch the Arrival on top of Alpe di Pampeago.
From Moena you will climb the Passo Costalunga, the Passo Lavaze, descend to Cavalese and from Tesero you will climb the Alpe di Pampeago where at the top you will watch the Top Finish of today stage -65km.
Optional Shorter Route: From Moena descend directly to Cavalese along the river and climb the Alpe di Pampeago. 25 km
Van Transfer to our charming hotel in the heart of the Dolomiti where we will stay for 3 nights.
Dinner & overnight at our hotel
Day 9 : Sunday May 25,Stage 15 of the Giro "Il tappone Dolomitico with arrival at the top of the Marmolada" -
Today is memorable! The challenge of climbing the Marmolada from the steepest
side few hours before the pros and watch the Top Finish surrounded by such
a breathtaking scenery will make this day unforgettable! This is the day that
will drive all your winter & spring training.
Today you will climb 3 of the passes of the today Giro stage : Pordoi, San Pellegrino & the Fedaia from the same side of the racers and you will be waiting for them at the top of the Marmolada glacier. 120 km
Shorter optional route : relax in the morning and climb the Marmolada to watch the top finish. 20 km
Dinner & overnight in our hotel in the Dolomiti.
Day 10: Monday May 26, Stage 16 of the Giro "La cronoscalata, Uphill TT, up to Plan de Coronese"
If you never climbed the Passo Furcia, you cannot know how hard and challenging this Uphill TT will be and you will be there as witness.
Today from our hotel you will climb the Passo Campolongo or Falzarego and from La Villa you will gently descend to San Vigilio di Marebbe Climb the Passo Furcia and watch the individuals racers come by near the top of the Furcia. 65 km
Dinner & overnight at our hotel
Day 11: Tuesday May 27
We leave our hotel in the Dolomites.
Optional: Climb Passo Gardena, descend to Selva di Val Gardena 50 km
Van transfer back to our base hotel near Lake Garda
Farewell dinner & overnight at our base hotel
Day 12: Wednesday May 28
Arrivederci Italia Transfer to Verona Airport and catch your flight back to USA.
If you like to extend your visit of Italy – we provide personalized travel
assistance(call Luisa or e-mail us: tours@davanticycling.com)
